Lakers trading James conditions exposed! Unless Doncic is traded: It's unrealistic for Jane to reunite with the Lone Ranger

This article was compiled from: The Athletic

Written by Jovan Buha

原标题：LeBron-Kyrie reunion with Mavs is ‘unrealistic’ and unlikely … but not impossible

On June 6, Beijing time, Irving and James reunited in a new plot, The Athletic name Shams reported that Irving contacted James, hoping to recruit him to play in the Lone Ranger. Haynes followed up with reports that Irving hopes the Lone Ranger will trade James to form a Big Three with him and Doncic. Lakers reporter Jovan Buka said the Lakers made it clear that they are not interested in Irving this summer, and as for whether James and Irving can reunite with the Lone Ranger, he believes it is "unrealistic and difficult to achieve." The harsh condition for the Lakers to trade James is that the Lone Ranger exchange Doncic.

The Lakers have no interest in bringing in Irving this summer

Previously, most of the discussion of Jane's reunion focused on the topic of the two joining forces again in Los Angeles, and the Lakers could create $30 million-35 million salary space this summer to try to sign Irving, or get him by signing first.

Last summer and before this year's trade deadline, James wanted Irving to come to the Lakers to play alongside him and thick eyebrows. Last summer, before Irving decided to execute the player option to stay with the Nets, the Lakers and Nets had trade talks about him, but it ended up at an impasse. Before the trade deadline in February, the Lakers were also potential suitors for Irving.

Irving and James played together for the Cavaliers and won the championship together in 2016. Irving's recruitment of James to play in Dallas shows his preference for a contract extension with the Mavericks, who can provide him with the most salary this offseason.

Meanwhile, sources within the Lakers revealed that the Lakers are not interested in bringing in Irving this summer. From the moment James hinted at his retirement, after the West final was swept by the Nuggets, people inside and around the Lakers sensed that his remarks were putting pressure on the Lakers to force the team to upgrade their roster this offseason. Many believe that James' preferred upgrade target is Irving, but a source revealed that James did not use Irving's interest in playing with him as leverage to try to get the Lakers to get Irving in the offseason.

From the Lakers' perspective, they knew that Irving had no interest in taking a pay cut and signing directly, and the Lakers had to try to get him by signing first, then trade. If Irving gets a top salary, his starting salary figure is expected to be $47 million.

The Lakers are only willing to consider trading Jen for Doncic

As for the possibility of James landing in Dallas next season, a Lakers source said it was "unrealistic" and while technically feasible, it was logically unlikely.

Assuming James is confirmed to return to play next season, the easiest way for James to travel to Dallas, at least for James, Irving and the Mavericks, is through a trade. But a look at the Lone Ranger's roster and draft picks shows that such a limited amount of assets won't attract the Lakers for a potential rebuild.

If James applies for a trade and the Lakers accept the offer, they need more than just Hardaway Jr., Bertans, Josh Green, Hardy, and the No. 10 pick in the first round in 2023 and a future first-rounder. Multiple sources revealed that the Lakers were not interested in trading chips for the Lone Ranger at all.

If the Lone Rangers are willing to offer James Doncic, then it's thought the Lakers will listen to the offer. Beyond that, the Lakers won't trade James to the Lone Ranger at all. James could force them to do so, but it could lead to a chaotic power struggle. Of course, the Lone Ranger is unlikely to be willing to trade Doncic for James.

It's also unrealistic for James to buy out the franchise

The other way to bring James to Dallas was through a buyout, but multiple hurdles made that unrealistic.

James signed a two-year, $97.1 million contract extension with the Lakers until next season. Any player who is bought out, theoretically, can be claimed, but must eat all of that player's salary, in James' case, $46.9 million for the 2022-23 season, not the amount he agreed to buy. It would also require a significant salary cut from James, and the Lakers have no incentive to leave a big dead sum of dead money on the payroll. James also has a $50.7 million player option for the 2024-25 season, which he needs to give up, in which case Irving will also have to take a significant salary cut.

James earned nearly $400 million in salary in his NBA career and hundreds of millions of dollars through endorsements, partnerships and company starts, but it is still unrealistic for him to give up tens of millions of dollars at once.

However, it is worth mentioning that James has a good relationship with Lone Ranger coach Kidd and assistant coach Dudley, and in 2020, they won the championship with James and the Lakers. James and Doncic also have a good relationship, and Doncic said early in his career that James was his favorite player growing up, and there are clear similarities in their playing styles (which can make it difficult to work together). James has been rave about Doncic for years.

This season, Irving and Doncic have only played 5-11 together, and the Lone Rangers are understandably interested in trading for James' Big Three. They desperately want Doncic to stay in Dallas (he could become a free agent in 2026), but don't forget that James qualifies as a free agent in 2024, and it doesn't make sense to acquire him at this time.

Despite Irving's efforts to recruit James, the best place to get Jane to play with him is still Los Angeles, where either Irving signs the Lakers with a reduced salary, or the Lone Ranger signs and then trades.

There is only a theoretical possibility that James will go to Dallas... But in reality it is almost impossible to achieve.